Implementation of therapeutic expressive art by Child Life Specialists: Current applications and implications for future use

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine how Child Life Specialists [CCLSs] use therapeutic expressive art techniques in a hospital setting with toddlers, preschoolers, school age children, and adolescents. The study investigated how expressive art activities are viewed and valued in this setting, what techniques are currently being used, the goals of these techniques, and the outcomes of these interactions. A secondary research goal was to investigate when and how children's narratives, derived through expressive activities, are shared with other children and adults in the hospital setting in order to understand how children's narratives are utilized in this environment. The current qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews of six Certified Child Life Specialists for data collection. Findings from this study on Child Life Specialists' perspectives and implementation of therapeutic, expressive art techniques provide insight into the major constructs that characterize Child Life professionals' conceptualization of art. These are: art as communication, as healing, as a response to the individual patient's needs, and as normalization. The results raise questions about the divide between therapeutic art and Art Therapy, highlight potential role confusion between CCLSs and Art Therapists [ATs], and show that children's narratives, derived through artistic interactions, contribute to professional practice in the high-stress, fast-paced hospital environment.;Keywords: Child Life Specialist, Therapeutic Art, Expressive Art, Narratives, Art Therapy, Hospital.